OFFICE OF GOVERNOR
MARY FALLIN

Governor Mary Fallin Signs Senate Bill 1140

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed Senate
Bill 1140, which to the extent
allowed by federal law, no private child-placing agency shall be required to
perform, assist, counsel, recommend, consent to, refer, or participate in any
placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement
would violate the agency’s written religious or moral convictions or policies. The governor
issued the following statement:

“After many hours of consideration and investigation
of Oklahoma’s current practice, I note the aggressive efforts that have been
made since I have been governor and the substantial progress made in finding
more temporary and permanent placements for deserving children, reducing by 21
percent the number of children in state custody. This improvement is due in large
part to the successful public-private partnership of more than 50 agencies,
some of which are faith-based.

“Under Senate Bill 1140, the state will not be in any
way restricting current practice allowing LGBTQ individuals and couples
fostering or adopting. It does not ban same-sex adoption or foster care in
Oklahoma. Instead, the bill will help continue Oklahoma’s successful placement
of children with a broad array of loving families and basically maintain the
status quo by setting forth in statute practices which have successfully worked
for the best interest of Oklahoma children. I also note that the bill mirrors
very similar legislation in Virginia, which has been on the books since 2012
without any court challenges. Since then, five additional states have passed
similar legislation. Kansas also has a similar bill before its governor.

“SB 1140 allows faith-based agencies that contract
with Oklahoma to continue to operate in accordance with their beliefs. In a day
and time when diversity is becoming a core value to society because it will
lead to more options, we should recognize its value for serving Oklahoma also
because it leads to more options for loving homes to serve Oklahoma children.
Other states that have declined the protection to faith-based agencies have
seen these agencies close their doors, leaving less options for successful
placement of children who need loving parents.

“Finally, I remain committed to preserving the rights
of all Oklahomans who are eligible and want to be considered for parenting.
Therefore, I plan to direct the Department of Human Services, by executive
order, to immediately publish a list of Oklahoma adoption and foster agencies
on its website who are willing to serve everyone who meets the Department of
Human Services criteria for being a foster or adoptive parent.”